All Set for IEA Presidential and Vice Presidential Debates

The Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) is preparing towards hosting Presidential and Vice Presidential candidates debates ahead of the 2024 Presidential election in December.

This forms part of the election activities which was launched today, August 7, 2024 and comes after the Covid-19 pandemic interrupted the debate ahead of the last election which happened in 2020.

This year, they will hold two Presidential debates in Kumasi in the Ashanti Region and Accra in the Greater Accra Region as part of their pre-election series.

“While answering questions pooled from the entire country, the Presidential Candidates will have the opportunity to articulate their policies and programmes for the nation. The Debates also provide the Candidates the opportunity to point out the weaknesses in the policies and programmes of their opponents.”

Additionally, there will be Vice-Presidential Debate in Accra for selected candidates as well as a Presidential Evening Encounter where candidates will respond directly to questions fielded in-person by representatives of key stakeholder groups.

While the Institute is envisaging hosting the Encounters in September it plans to hold the Debates in October and November with date and time set to be communicated later upon engagements with candidates and their political parties.

Meanwhile, it said a Presidential Debate Committee (PDC) is being constituted to determine the ground rules that would govern the Debates and Encounters, and to solicit questions from Ghanaians.

Significance
The institute posits that the event will provide a unique platform for Presidential candidates to outline their policies and vision of governance for the country while empowering citizens to make informed decision during the polls.

Additionally, it is aimed at promoting peace before, during and after the elections.